New legion commander ready to recruit

BY JIM KEOGH

Anthony Renzoni (r.) was recently sworn in as commander of John E. Harkins Post 42. Anthony Renzoni is quick to note that Holden has 2,000 military veterans, yet only 72 of them are dues-paying members of the John E. Harkins Post 42.

He's aiming to change that.

Renzoni was recently sworn in as post commander and already has formulated for the legion specific goals in one-, three- and seven-year increments. Not surprisingly, one of those goals is to get more of those 2,000 vets to give their local post a try.

Renzoni, a 1st Sergeant in the National Guard, has served for 17 years, and has done two tours of duty in Afghanistan, both as a military analyst and as a security advisor to Afghan police forces, living in a compound in a Taliban village with 20 U.S. personnel. He contracted a severe gastrointestinal infection that caused him to lose 30 pounds in five days, and also blew out his knee, which he's now rehabbing post-surgery.

He joined the post in 2005, and watched its membership age, with key members dying in that time, including former commander Elmer Hurd.

"Elmer Hurd was a great guy. For 50 years he kept the legion afloat. When I joined he was the person I latched onto initially," he said. "We're going to create a shadow box in Town Hall with a plaque, Elmer's medals, documents and legion things. One hundred years from now people can look at it and see what great man he was."

When he was asked by the membership to consider assuming the commander's role, Renzoni was quick to say yes. "For the good of the legion, I will do whatever they want me to do," he said.

The post is committed to community service, he said. On Veterans Day members sold poppies to raise $500 to help struggling Holden families. The Harkins Post is also a visible presence at the Memorial Day Parade, and before that tradition was revived had kept Memorial Day services alive with a Town Hall ceremony.

At 35, Renzoni says he's the youngest member, but he's got big plans to widen the legion's demographic, including increasing membership by 300 percent. One of the keys will be recruiting younger veterans, something he believes will only be possible when the legion either owns or leases its own hall. Currently, members meet at the Colony Retirement Home.

"Everyone likes to have a place off their own where they can have a beer and tell stories. We won't get a younger crowd until we have a space for members," he said.

Renzoni is looking to boost the post's profile around town in the coming years, but he's got some time. Seven years to be exact.